R.I.P. Blockbuster

[Storm Eagle]

Originally Posted by Michelangelo

Still, people vote with their feet and those feet have walked away from Blockbuster enough to see it go down. It was inevitable, video stores are just not relevant like they once were. If we all stopped doing whatever we do now to get our movies and games then they'd still be going well. And those things we are doing to get our games and movies might be more environmentally friendly but at the end of the day we've all done it because it's convenient. We have just moved towards what is easier and hence we are lazy, we seek more for less, it's what we do.

So I'm supposed to feel as though I done a bad thing by establishing a Netflix account?

[Michelangelo]

You can feel however you want about it.
All I mean is that as humans we tend to go for the easier choice and so can be said to be inherently lazy. If you feel guilty about the choices you make that's up you as an individual. If Blockbuster had changed their business model or started doing some other business then maybe they'd still be around. The business model they had is just outdated for those of us living in the more advanced part of our country and have moved on.

[Storm Eagle]

Originally Posted by Michelangelo

If Blockbuster had changed their business model or started doing some other business then maybe they'd still be around. The business model they had is just outdated for those of us living in the more advanced part of our country and have moved on.

Well there you go. I don't have to feel bad about anything, and neither should anyone else. You just came off as though you were mad at the people who chose a more convenient alternative. It doesn't always have to be bad.

[pannoni1]

I currently have a few sets of VHS tapes up for sale on eBay. I remember earlier on when the logo said "VIDEO" below Blockbuster. Those were its glory days. This was just a nature of technology marches on. While Blockbuster had its strict time limits thanks to its computers along with rewind fees, Netflix/Redbox can cause similar problems. Blockbuster never left Web 1.0 when it launched online and combined with launching the Blue Box too late, didn't keep up fittingly enough. People often forget how Blockbuster seemed to force the smaller chains out of business back in the late '80s/early '90s (though some chains in resort/rural locations survived into the late '90s). I never personally rented a movie from Blockbuster, but enjoyed browsing the different titles and video games. Nowadays a trip to the nearest thrift store (in which I went to one last Friday that was right across the parking lot of a former Blockbuster that closed a few years ago) can often find you a nicely used VHS for a small fraction of what it cost to RENT one, and even most DVDs to purchase cost less than a rental too! Then again your local library probably has what would have a "Blockbuster-esque section" but with often a one-week rental period and no base charge, at least for now while they still carry DVDs (TV series too!). But to say to a deader-than-drive in business model, R.I.P Blockbuster Video.

[Slade]

I have to say, I used to love Blockbuster. The first place I ever drove alone to was Blockbuster, along with all the other times I drove to "Blockbuster" Hell I still have my membership card in my wallet.

I actually stopped going long before Netflix days. The fees and all started to piss me off. My wife actually wanted to go in a few months back. Told her I didn't see a point in going, everything in there can either be watched on Netflix or can be rented from one of the video apps I have on the ps3. She didn't believe me though. Guess who was right?

[Storm Eagle]

Originally Posted by pannoni1

While Blockbuster had its strict time limits thanks to its computers along with rewind fees, Netflix/Redbox can cause similar problems.

How?

Originally Posted by Raph_tha_Dude

I have to say, I used to love Blockbuster. The first place I ever drove alone to was Blockbuster, along with all the other times I drove to "Blockbuster" Hell I still have my membership card in my wallet.

I took mine out of my wallet when there were no more stores reasonably close enough to me. I've been storing it in one of my nightstand drawers ever since. I might shred it, but then I might not, for sentimental purposes.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by JYX

Since the dawn of social class strata, there has always been a rich/powerful vs. the poor social class struggle and typically if the disparity becomes too extreme there are social uprisings and even civil wars.

I would disagree that Western media is "exerting control" over us and trying to influence us, as if its some conscious form of "mind control" by the elites. It's more or less a lot of us are just too lazy, too busy trying to support our lives/families, and/or too spoiled by the amenities of living in a developed nation (i.e. having accessible hot water, and easy access to life-saving immunizations to not fully grasp how lethal/debilitating those contagious diseases can become without those immunizations). I mean how much social change (at least in the United States) has really been progressive after the 70s and 80s (racial and gender equality)?

At least the baby-boomer generation was advocating for bigger social change, and the ones before that were enduring the strain and hardship of the Great Depression (26% unemployment) and WWII (418,000 causalities in the U.S.; I know your Scottish though Davetello ), can our generation proudly claim that we endured or created such great social change? Psh... It's mostly because our generation has been spoiled and has a "sense of entitlement". We are growing up in age when we, and generations after us, are acquiring trophies for merely participating in sports and not actually succeeding. Our generation is more obsessed about pop culture, tabloid celebrity news, and our insatiable need for instant entertainment gratification rather than the gross injustices that are still prevalent in society. The nadir of our generation's priorities is that somehow we have made talentless Kim Kardashain as popular, or even more so, than legitimate talented actors/actress in the already superficially driven entertainment industry.

When society has dubbed us as the "Me" generation because of our self-centeredness, it makes sense. Why in the world would our generation be concerned about broad, social change of others if it didn't immediately affect us somehow? Most people are either too short-sighted or prefer the quick fix of self-gratifying entertainment/profitability, like an illicit addictive drug, rather than investing in a self-sacrificial societal change that would benefit all.

As easy as it is to blame the elites or the people in power, a lot of us have to look at ourselves with the same amount of harsh criticism. It's interesting that so many people want to solely blame the big banks and corporations for mismanaging money in the 2008-2009 Recession, which is partially true, but what can you expect when 50% of the American population can't even control their own spending.

That was a pretty nice and thoughtful post, and I appreciate you taking the time to put your views in writing - suffice to say I agree with some points and disagree with others. Perhaps when I am in the mood I will write a retort worthy of your effort. For now I'd like to say thanks for offering a civil and intelligent response to my comments.

[Storm Eagle]

I was in my friend's neighborhood yesterday, and this mom & pop-owned video store that's a few blocks from him is actually still active. Go figure.

[Plasticplayhouse]

cast me in the crowd of people who thought blockbuster was toast years ago.

i remember the days of West Coast Video. they were the blockbuster before blockbuster. contrary to the name, they were a national chain. i believe they may have even been the 1st major national chain. everything else in my area was mom and pop video shops.